title: Gabapentin premedication: assessment of preoperative anxiolysis and postoperative patient satisfaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gabapentin reduces anxiety in psychiatric patients. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we investigated whether a single dose of gabapentin as a premedicant reduces preoperative anxiety, and improves patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  After Institutional Review Board approval and written consent, 210 patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups of oral premedication: placebo, hydroxyzine 75 mg, or gabapentin 1200 mg. Anxiety level was assessed 3 times, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale: before premedication, in the preoperative holding area, and just before induction of general anaesthesia. In the postoperative period, patients were asked about their satisfaction with their premedicant. Data were presented as mean +/- SD. VAS scores were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by a Bonferroni test as appropriate. The chi-square test was used to analyze categorical data. All p values less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline anxiety was not statistically different among the 3 groups. Anxiety level in the gabapentin group was significantly lower in the holding area, and before induction of anaesthesia (20 mm +/- 21), than in the hydroxyzine group (33 mm +/- 26 ; p = 0.023) and in the placebo group (36 mm +/- 28; p = 0.004). Anxiety decreased significantly overtime only in the gabapentin group. The gabapentin and hydroxyzine groups had a higher proportion of "satisfied or extremely satisfied" patients (73% and 70% respectively) as compared to the placebo group (48%, p = 0.006).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single dose of gabapentin has proven to be an effective premedication to reduce preoperative anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Clinique Saint-Paul, 97 200 Fort-de-France, Martinique, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tirault
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Foucan
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Debaene
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Frasca
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lebrun
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sandefo
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Van Elstraete
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011229:Preanesthetic Medication; D011446:Prospective Studies; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000588:Amines; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin